Gr*f 

till 


Duke  University  Libraries 


D037886953 


JTo.  62. 

THE  CENTURION. 

REV.    THOS.    E.    SKINtfl 


The  Centurion  was  a  Komau  military  officer  in  command 
of  a  hundred  men.  Six  of  these  officers  and  their  men 
constituted  a  cohort — six  hundred  men,  while  sixty  of 
these  made  complete  the  invincible  Roman  legion  of  six 
thousand  men. 

Of  the  various  grades  of  officers  commanding  in  the 
Roman  legion,  the  Centurion,  though  not  of  the  highest 
honor,  was  of  the  greatest  umc 

Large  bodies  of  troops  are  necessarily  disciplined  and 
commanded  in  broken  numbers,  and  since  the  day  of 
Moses  and  the  Egyptians,  the  number  selected  as  most 
advantageous  has  been  that  which  is  now  commanded  by 
our  Captain. 

We  do  not  over-estimate  the  value  and  use  of  the  office 
of  Captain  when  we  declare,  that  the  discipline  in  camp, 
the  demeanour  and  soldierly  bearing  on  march,  the  in- 
vincibility in  attack,  the  success  in  pursuit  and  the  order 
of  retreat — all  depend  chiefly  upon  the  qualifications  of 
that  office. 

Officer  our  men  with  good  Captains,  and  the  blunders  of 
an  incompetent,  it  may  be  a  drunken  General,  will  be  re- 
proved oftentimes,  if"  not  checked  and  retrieved,  by  the 
brave  and  efficient  Captain  and  his  men. 

Indeed  if  a  man  desire  the  office  of  a  Captain,  he  de- 
sireth  a  good  work. 

In  addressing  officers  of  this  grade,  in  our  army,  we 
desire  to  call  their  attention  to  the  honorable,  because 
useful,  position  of  the  occupants  of  the  Captaincy  in  the 


2 

Rouian  Army,  as  described  by  the  writers  of  the  New 
Testament  Scriptures.  And  afterwards,  to  show  where- 
in the  efficiency  of  this  officer,  in  our  army  may  become 
invaluable  to  his  country,  and  promotive  of  the  glory  of 
God. 

And  first,  observe  the  character  of  the  Centurion  at 
Caesarca. 

It  is  worthy  of  honorable  notice  that  Cornelius,  the  first 
Gentile  convert  to  Christianity,  held  the  rank  of  Captain 
in  the  Roman  Army.  He  was  a  centurion  of  the  band 
called  the  Italian,  a  man  in  active  military  service,  sur- 
rounded by  all  the  influences  which  are  acknowledged,  in 
every  army,  to  be  powerful,  in  drawing  away  the  mind 
from  the  contemplation  of  religious  subjects,  and  thereby 
preventing  the  performance  of.  sacred  duties. 

Yet,  Cornelius  "  was  a  devout  man,  and  one  that  feared 
God  with  all  his  house-" 

According  to  the  light  which  he  had,  he  was  a  religious 
man.  He  honored  the  true  and  the  living  God,  and  His 
Son  whom  He  sent,  as  soon  as  Christ  was  revealed  unto 
him.  He  taught  his  family  the  same  reverence  to  the 
true  God.  His  habit  was  to  pray  daily  at  stated  periods. 
u.  He  prayed  to  God  always."  He  was  a  benevolent  man 
"  which  gave  much  alms  to  the  people." 

That  he  was  sincere  in  all  this,  we  have  the  testimony 
of  the  Angel,  who  appearing  unto  him  in  a  vision,  said, 
"  Cornelius,  thy  prayers  and  thine  alms  are  come  up  for  a 
memorial  before  God."  Another  evidence  of  the  devout 
and  sincere  heart  of  this  heathen  Captain,  is  the  good 
influence  of  his  life  upon  all  around  him,  He  sent  to 
bear  the  message  of  the  Angel  unto  Peter,  two  of  his 
household  servants,  "who  all  feared  God,"  "  and  a  devout 
soldier  of  them  that  waited  on.  him  continually,"  And 
not  only  among  his  own  family,  but  among  all  the  nation 
of  the  Jews,  he  was  reputed  as  "  a  just  man  and  one  that 


3 

feared  God,  and  of  good  report."  But  bis  life  wa,s  not 
merely  powerful,  in  its  example  all  around  him,  but  above 
him,  *  Even  to  the  spirit  world,  his  prayers  and  his  alms 
were  recorded  before  God,  in  the  book  of  remembrance, 
in  which  is  written  God's  favor  to  them  who  fear  Him. 
Here  is  the  character  of  a  great  and  good  man,  great  be- 
cause good,  and  yet  he  w;is  a  Captain  in  the  Roman 
Army. 

THE  CENTURION  AT  CAPERNAUM. 

The  character  of  this  man  is  testified  to  of  Christ  as 
very  remarkable.  He  was  a  Gentile,  a  Roman  officer,  who 
had  command  over  the  troops  stationed  at  Capernaum,  as  a 
garrison  for  that  subjugated  Jewish  town.  Though  a 
soldier,  he  was  an  emineutly  godly  man  though  not  a 
follower  of  Christ,  as  he  knew  nothing  of  Christianity,  As 
a  heathen  and  a  Roman  soldier,  we  might  expect  that 
his  prejudices  were  great  both  against  the  religion  of  the 
Jews  and  the  people  over  whom  he  ruled,  But  we  find  that 
the  Elders  of  the  Jews  reported  him  as  worthy  of  a  visit 
from  Christ,  inasmuch  as  he  had  expressed  great  regard 
ior  the  people  with  whom,  in  the  providence  of  God,  his 
lot  was  cast  and  had  actually,  out  of  his  own  private  funds, 
built  them  a  Synagogue. 

This  is  all  that  is  related  of  him  up  to  the  time  of  his 
interview  with  Christ.  A  servant  to  whom  he  had  great 
attachment  was  sick  of  the  palsy,  in  behalf  of  whom  he 
went  to  Christ  and  asked  him  to  heal  him.  "  Beseeching 
hini,"  he  said,  "Lord  my  servant  lieth  at  home  sick  ot  the 
palsy,  grievously  tormented."  The  good  master  struck 
with  the  humble  posture  of  this,  a  Gentile  soldier  of  rank, 
returned  his  grace  with  unexpected  favor.  "  The  promise 
is  "  ask  and  ye  shall  receive."  But  before  he  could  ask  the 
favor,  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  "I  will  come  and  heal  him." 
But  observe  the  increased  expression  of  humility,  on  the 


part  of  the  Captain.  "lam  not  worthy  that  thou  shou.ldest 
come  under  my  roof."  Not  that  his  roof  was  dishonorable 
for  he  was  a  great  man  and  rich.  It  was  not  the  roof,  but 
the  man  that  was  too  humble  for  Christ  to  come  near.  0, 
how  Christ  hastens  to  such.  He  did  not  say  that  his  house 
was  unworthy,  nor  his  servant,  but,  "  I  am  not  worthy." 
80  should  all  men  lie  down  in  their  own  unworthiness  in 
approaching  Christ.  Look  at  this  man's  remarkable  faith 
that  Christ  could  cure  his  servant,  for  at  that  time  Jesus 
was  not  believed  on  by  the  people  as  he  was  afterwards. 
Nor  had  He  performed  many  miracles  as  yet.  Still  the 
Centurion  had  discovered  his  power  and  grace.  Not  only 
so,  but  his  faith  overleaped  space  and  every  opposing 
obstacle.  He  believed  that  Christ  was  G-od,  that  He  whose 
word  created  all  things  could  speak  a  cure  to  his  servant 
miles  away.  That  He  who  fills  all  places  at  all  times, 
needed  no  contact  with  his  servant  in  order  to  heal  hinij 
"  but  speak  the  word  Lord  and  my  servant  shall  be  healed." 
The  Centurion  believed  that  He  who  said,  "let  there  be 
light  and  thore  was  light, "  could  say  to  the  sick  of  the 
palsy,  "  take  up  they  bed  and  walk, "  or  "  thy  sins  be  for- 
given thee, "  and  that  Christ  had  as  much  authority  and 
power  to  do  this  as  the  Centurion  had  to  say  to  this  soldier, 
"go,  and  he  goeth,  or  to  that,  come,  and  he  cometh."  It 
was  the  great  humility  and  faith  of  this  Captain  which,  as 
it  were,  filled  Christ  with  amazement  and  brought  from 
his  lips  the  high  commendation,  "  I  have  not  found  so 
great  faith,  no,  not  in  Israel." 

Thus  we  have  another  instance  of  the  office  of  Captain, 
in  Christ's  time,  being  filled  by  one  worthy  of  the  favor 
and  grace  of  the  Lord  our  Righteousness.  Let  us  look 
again  at 

THE  CENTURION  AT  THE  CROSS. 

Jesus  the  Son  of  God  had  proclaimed  the  Gospel  of 
peace,  the  glad  tidings  of  Salvation.    He  had  done  the 


will  of  Him  who  sent  Him,  and  was  now  offered  up  as  a 
sacrifice  for  our  sins.    The  cryhad  gone  forth,  II  IS  FINISHED. 

He  had  bowed  His  head  and  fried  with  a  loud  voice,  and 
given  up  the  Ghost.  And  now  behold  the  awful  scene  at 
the  cross.  Nature  groaned;  the  earth  did  quake;  and  the 
rocks  rent,  and  the  graves  were  opened,  and  many  bodies 
of  the  Saints  which  slept,  arose  and  came  out  of  their  graves, 
rind  the  vail  of  the  Temple  was  rent  in  twain  from  the  top 
to  the  bottom.  Now  when  the  Centurion  and  they  that 
were  with  him  watching  Jesus,  saw  the  earthquake,  and 
those  things  that  were  done,  they  feared  greatly,  saying 
truly  this  was  the  Son  of  God. 

Like  most  soldiers,  this  Centurion  and  his  men  were 
ungodly,  but  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  all 
powerful,  and  even  these  at  the  cross  are  convicted  by 
what  they  witness.  At  one  time  during  the  crucifixion, 
the  soldiers  also  mocked  Him.  coming  to  Him  and  offer- 
ing Him  vinegar  and  saying,  if  thou  be  the  Ki^g  of  the 
Jews  save  thyself.  J>ut  the  scenes'  which  were  soon  to 
follow  were  calculated  to  change  their  feelings,  if  not  their 
hearts.  Deep  conviction  settled  clown  upon  them  of  the 
holiness  of  the  Sufferer,  who  by  the  very  circumstances 
attending  Him,  must  be  none  other  than  the  Son  of  (yod. 
By  their  terror,  and  especially  by  this  confession,  is  their 
conviction  expressed.  There  are  instances  similar,  i 
our  soldiers,  of  conviction  produced  by  scenes  in  battl-  I 
by  bitter  experiences  in  camp  and  the  hospital.  31a1 
impressed  with  the  belief  that  God  shielded  them  in 
battle,  and  to  their  last  day.  whether  they  repent  or  not, 
his  conviction  will  remain.  But  what  terrible  means  of 
conviction  were  presented  at  the  cross.  The  Centurion, 
who  from  the  judgment  hall  to  the  hill  of  the  crucifixion, 
had  commanded  the  whole  scene  and  had  partaken  of  the 
spirit  of  the  mocking  and  enraged  Jews,  4i  when  he  saw 
what  was  done,    glorified   G-od,    saying  certainly  this  wa^ 


6 

a  righteous  man.  Truly  this  was  the  Son  of  God/'  And 
surely  this  was  no  mean  confession,  even  at  the  eleventh 
hour  and  under  the  cross.  It  was  all  that  Peter  said,  and  for 
which  he  was  blessed.  It  was  much  more  than  the  dismay- 
ed Disciples  dare  say,  or  even  than  the  women  that  attend- 
ed Him  from  Galilee,  or  even  than  the  beloved  Disciple 
John  dare  assert  if  near  the  Lord.  May  we  not  hope  then 
that  the  Centurion  at  the  cross,  with  many  of  his  soldiers, 
were  among  the  number  of  those  who  were  converted  on 
the  day  of  Pentecost  and  subsequently?  The  Savior's 
prayer,  "  Father  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what 
they  do,"  was  doubtless  answered. 

But  Christ  was  buried  and  made  His  grave  with  the 
rich,  which  was  guarded  by  the  soldiers.  This  brings  to 
our  view 

.   THE  CENTURION  AT  THE  SEPULCHRE. 

A  strange  place  indeed  for  a  soldier.  For  what  guard 
other  than  death  could  be  needed?  It  was  best  for  us 
however,  and  for  His  holy  religion,  that  Christ's  resurrec- 
tion should  have  been  witnessed  by  those  who  were  set  as 
a  guard  to  prevent  the  Disciples  from  stealing  away  his 
body,  (as  they  said,)  that  they  might  be  witnesses  for  the 
truth.  That  this  was  the  same  Centurion  and  soldiers  who 
conducted  Christ  to  the  cross  and  participated  in  the  aw- 
ful scenes  of  that  day,  we  cannot  determine,  though  Pilate's 
words,  "  Ye  have  a  watch, "  might  indicate  it.  Let  it 
suffice,  that  the  all-important  officer,  the  Centurion  with  his 
men,  >ere  selected  for  this  awful  duty.  There  they  march 
in  measured  time  up  to  the  stillness  of  the  sepulchre  of 
the  great  dead.  Joseph  of  Arimathea  and  Nicodemus, 
honorable  counsellors,  who  had  conducted  the  private 
funeral,  hud  closed  the  door  of  the  Sepulchre  with  a  great 
stone.  Tbe  foot-prints  of  women  might  have  been  seen 
around  the  sepulchre.  These  are  the  only  marks  of 
friendly  attention    to   the   Friend  of  sinners.     But   the 


soldier's  duties  must  be  performed.  The  great  seal  of  the 
Sanhedrim  is  placed  upon  the  stone,  and  now  they  have 
only  to  watch. 

As  the  first  day  of  the  week  began  to  dawn,  came  the 
two  Marys  to  see  the  sepulchre.  In  the  distance  are  heard 
the  dreadful  thunders,  and  the  earth  shakes  under  their 
feet.  Reminded  of  the  awful  scenes  at  the  cross,  they 
hasten  to  the  grave,  and  behold  the  Angel  from  Heaven 
who  came  and  rolled  back  the  stone  from  the  door  and 
sat  upon  it;  his  countenance  was  like  lightning,  and  his 
raiment  white  as  snow,  and  for  fear  of  Him  the  keepers 
did  shake  and  become  as  dead  men. 

The  great  event  upon  which  our  religion  is  founded  had 
occurred.  Said  the  Angel  to  the  women;  He  is  not  here 
for  He  is  risen  as  He  said.  Come  see  the  place  where  the 
Lord  lay. 

Here  are  two  important  witnesses  to  the  resurrection  of 
Christ.  Not  the  twelve  Disciples  as  we  might  expect;  not 
the  faithful  women  who  followed  Him  from  Galilee  to  the 
cross  and  to  the  sepulchre  ;  but  the  Angel  from  Heaven 
and  the  guard  who  were  set  to  watch  the  sepulchre. 
Some  of  the  watch  went  into  the  city  and  told  the  chief 
Priests  all  that  they  had  seen.  They  told  them  of  the  earth- 
quake, the  descent  of  the  Angel,  the  rolling  of  the  stone 
away,  and  of  Jesus  coming  out  of  the  grave  alive.  This 
important  testimony  of  enemies  in  favor  of  the  fact  of 
Christ's  resurrection,  was  ordained  to  be  given  by  soldiers. 
Some  of  the  watch  went  into  the  city,  we  are  told.  Where 
were  the  others?  Perhaps  the  scenes  of  the  resurrection, 
if  not  of  the  cross,  broke  their  hard  heart*  and  brought 
them  to  Christ. 

Many  things  also,  might  be  mentioned  interesting  to  us, 
and  honorable  to  the  Centurion  and  his  soldiers,  in  connex- 
ion with  the  life  of  Paul,  the  great  Apostle  to  the  Gentiles. 
But  we  hasten  to  consider  the  relation  of  this  office  to 


the  times,  and  the  living  scenes  through  which,  as  a  na- 
tion, G-od  has  called  us  to  pass.  We  have  already  stated 
that  the  office  of  Captain  is  the  most  useful  and  important 
in  our  army.  This  is  so  from  the  nature  of  the  office,  ir- 
respective of  the  character  of  him  who  may  fill  it.  How 
much  greater  its  use  and  importance,  when  the  character- 
istics of  a  true  soldier  are  found  to  exist  in  its  occupant, 
we  cannot  too  earnestly  impress  upon  our  readers. 

The  first  characteristic  of  a  true  Captain  is  patrfotivity' 
Patriotism  is  the  noblest  passion  that  animates  a  man  in 
the  character  of  a  citizen.  It  is  the  love  of  one's  country, 
and  that  which  impels  him  to  protect  it  in  peace,  and  to  de- 
fefld  it  in  war. 

But  do  we  mean  by  our  country,  its  geography,  its 
rivers,  and  mountains,  its  lakes,  and  fields,  and  cities  ?  Or 
rather  do  we  not' mean  its  inhabitants?  We  may  have 
strong  attachments  to  local  scenes,  associated  as  they  are 
with  our  loved  ones  on  earth  and  in  eternity.  These  fields 
and  cities,  houses,  and  rivers,  appear  dear  to  us  now,  but 
drive  away  their  inhabitants  or  consume  them  in  war,  and 
let  another  and  an  inimical  race  occupy  our  fair  land,  and 
we  shall  see  nothing  lovely  in  it. 

It  is  of  man  we  speak  when  we  say  our  country,  man  as 
a  fellow  citizen,  in  distinction  from  mankind  generally.  It 
is  the  gratification  that  we  derive  from  seeing  our  country- 
men prosperous,  educated  and  free,  and  the  determination 
to  protect  them  in  the  possession  and  enjoyment  of  such 
rights,  that  constitutes  true  patriotism. 

The  man  who  possesses  this  passion,  together  with 
ordinary,  natural  and  physical  talents,  is  competent  for  the 
office  of  Captain.  With  such  noble  principles  and  high 
aims,  as  have  been  designated  to  the  Captain,  his  purpose 
will  be,  as  his  duty  requires,  to  study  to  promote  the  use- 
fulness of  his  men,  in  the  furtherance  of  the  great  cause 
which  they  have  espoused.     If  he  possesses    these  traits, 


he  will  instil  them  into  his  men  and  brother  officers.  His 
associates  will  not  be  almost  exclusively,  among  the  officers 
of  his  Regiment,  while  he  should  be  looking  after  the 
comfort,  discipline,  and  every  soldierly  attainment  possible 
to  his  men.  If  a  man  enters  the  office  of  Captain,  with 
a  desire  to  rise  from  it.  merely  as  a  stepping  stone  to  one 
of  higher  honor  and  emolument,  he  has  betrayed  a  defect 
in  character,  which  proves  him  to  be  disqualified  for  the 
position  he  now  holds.  We  would  not  say  that  a  desire 
for  promotion  is  dishonorable.  He  who  by  faithfulness  and 
efficiency  in  this  office,  shows  his  qualifications  for  a 
higher,  is  properly  chosen  when  a  vacancy  occurs,  or  the 
public  good  requires  it.  A  true  Captain  will  not  despise 
his  office  or  its  duties.  Only  those  who  are  looking  over 
their  men's  heads  at  the  glittering  ensigns  of  superior  po- 
sitions in  the  army,  and  who  are  essentially  selfish,  will 
despise  their  office,  or  neglect  their  men.  Let  none  boast 
of  patriotism  then,  who  will  in  any  particular,  neglect  their 
men  or  treat  them  with  unnecessary  severity,  or  with 
harshness  and  cruelty. 

But  the  highest  qualification  to  the  office  of  Captain  is 
piety. 

AVe  have  seen  that  patriotism  is  indispensable  in  him, 
who  would  command  his  fellow  soldiers,  and  that  patriotism 
consists  in  a  high  regard  for  the  welfare  of  our  fellow 
citizens.  But  a  question  arises,  can  a  man  possess  a  high 
regard  for  the  interests  of  his  fellow  citizens,  who  does  not 
respect  the  laws  and  majesty  of  his  Maker  and  Judge? 
Christ  said  i;  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all 
thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind. 
This  is  the  first  and  great  commandment.  And  the  second 
is  like  unto  it,  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself. 
On  these  two  commandments  hang  all  the  law  and  the 
Prophets."  That  is,  the  whole  duty  of  man  is  to  love  God 
supremely,  and  his  neighbor  as  himself. 


to 

'Kie  second  commandment  Christ  said  was  like  unto  the 
first;  so  like  it,  that  our  loye  to  our  fellow-man,  is  a  ne- 
cessary consequence  of  our  love  to  God.  "  And  if  a  man 
say,  I  loye  God,  and  hate  thhis  brother,  he  is  a  liar  ;  for 
he  that  loveth  not  his  brother,  whom  he  bath  seen,  how 
can  he  love  God  whom  he  hath  not  seen."  "  This  com- 
mandment/' says  John,  "  have  we  from  Him,"  <:  That 
he  who  loveth  God,  love  his  brother  also,"  that  is,  our 
love  to  our  fellow-man  is  a  consequence  of  our  love  to  God, 
which  is  as  much  as  to  say,  that  the  highest  patriotism  is 
consistent  only  with  piety. 

If  this  be  true,  then  how  erroneous  are  the  ideas  of 
some,  who  say  that  the  army  is  no  place  for  a  professor  of 
Christianity,  that  the  camp  is  destructive  to  piety,  and  that 
religion  is  incompatible  with  the  duties  of  the  soldier.  Let 
such  men  hold  down  their  heads  and  blush,  before  the  ex- 
ample of  the  Centurion  of  the  lloman  Army,  as  described 
in  the  New  Testament.  If  what  such  men  say  be  true, 
then  the  duties  of  the  soldier  must  be  sinful.  But  are  we 
to  conclude  thus  ?  All  war  is  murder,  except  it  be  in  self 
defence.  The  duties  which  this  inhuman  invasion  of  our 
soil  imposes  upon  us  as  soldiers,  are  in  accordance  with 
every  high  principle,  and  noble  impulse  of  our  nature ;  and 
these  duties,  be  assured,  can  best  be  performed  in  the  fear 
of  God  and  with  His  never-failing  blessing,  upon  the  cause 
of  the  just,  who  put  their  trust  in  Him. 

We  have  thus  spoken  of  that  intelligent  and  useful  class 
of  soldiers,  who  fill  the  office  of  Captain  in  our  army,  be- 
cause of  their  influence  and  position  to  do  good.  Remem- 
ber the  ancient  dignity,  and  the  present  honor  of  your 
office,  and  let  your  lives  correspond  in  dignity.  Be  guar- 
ded in  your  manners;  "  I  thought  we  all  regarded  ourselves 
as  gentlemen,"  said  the  great  Washington  once  when  dining 
with  some  of  his  officers,  one  of  whom  uttered  an  oath. 
Don't  forget  how  Christ  honored  some  of  the  praying  and 


11 

devout  Captains  of  the  Roman  Army.  Think  of  the  hun- 
dred men  whose  health,  comfort  and  efficiency  arc  entrust- 
ed to  your  care ;  of  their  valuable  lives  and  precious  souls, 
with  which  you  have  more  to  do  at  present  than  any  other  one 
on  earth.  Think  then  daily  of  your  responsibility  to  your 
country  and  to  your  God  ;  of  the  incalculable  importance 
and  value  of  the  stake,  which  is  risked  in  this  revolution  ; 
your  national  independence  and  peace  ;  your  irretrievable 
vassalage,  ruin,  annihilation. 

Think  of  the  high  expectations  of  loved  ones  at  home ; 
of  gray  haired  sires;  patriotic  mothers,  wives  and  sisters. 
and  of  their  safety  and  honor.  Think  of  the  blood  of  brave 
comrades,  crying  out  from  the  earth  for  vengeance,  against 
a  cruel  and  relentless  foe  ;  of  the  intentions  of  the  barbar- 
ous enemy  if  successful  in  his  plans.  Q,  think  of  genera- 
tions yet  unborn,  to  be  blessed  with  the  fruits  of  your  vic- 
tory, or  condemned  to  drag-  out  a  miserable  existence  in 
chains  of  the  Northman's  slavery.  Think  of  all  these  and 
answer,  will  you  not  like  the  devout  Centurion,  pray  to 
that  God  who  rules  the  destinies  of  nation-  ;  to  give  you 
His  grace,  to  make  you  a  patriotic  soldier,  a  pious  Captain 
in  the  great  army  of  independence  and  freedom. 

But  we  cannot  close  this  interview  without  some  refer- 
ence to  your  personal  interest  in  the  great  salvation. 

Before  our  minds'  eye,  you  all  stand  with  an  appearance 
of  equality.  Officially  you  are  so,  "  but  know,  that  the 
Lord  hath  set  apart,  him  that  is  godly  for  himself,"  "  but 
the  way  of  the  ungodly  shall  perish. "  "Like  the  chaff 
which  the  wind  driveth  away,  the  ungodly  shall  not  stand 
in  the  judgment."  There  is  a  difference,  and  the  least 
observing  must  notice  it.  The  true  christian  in  the  army, 
like  the  devout  Centurion  of  old,  will  shine  as  light  in 
darkness.  We  know  that  there  are  such  in  our-army.  From 
the  highest  in  rank,  down  to  the  humble  private,  they 
stand  and  fight  and    pray  and  sing.  C{  T  will  both   lay  me 


12 

down  in  peace  and  sleep  j  for  thou,  Lord  only  makest  me 
dwell  in  safety."  The  wicked  call  these  fatalists.  Not  dis- 
cerning things  spiritual,  the  carnal  mind  mistakes  the 
heavenly  faith,  for  senseless  fatality.  It  is  to  the  pious 
i'aptain  that  we  would  first  address  a  word  of  encourage- 
ment and  comfort. 

When  first  you  left  home  and  loved  ones  and  the  church, 
how  sad  the  thought  that  pressed  itself  upon  you,  that  "  I 
shall  see  no  more,  perhaps,  the  pleasures  which  I  have  en- 
joyed within  those  sacred  walls;  the  Sabbath  school  and. 
prayer  meeting  too,  I  shall  long  for-"  Perhaps  a  regret 
passed  through  your  mind  too,  for  not  having  done  more 
for  Christ  when  opportunities  so  favorable  were  presented. 
Such  thoughts  are  natural. 

But  what  has  your  experience  in  the  camp  proved,  my 
dear  brother?  Instead  of  leaving  the  field  for  christian 
effort  as,  you  supposed,  when  separating  from  home  and  the 
brethren,  have  you  not  found  room  for  usefulness  in  the 
army,  which  has  far  exceeded  your  expectation  ?  If  active 
at  home  for  Christ,  has  not  a  way  been  opened  among  your 
comrades  for  even  greater  activity,  because  of  greater  need  ? 
When  you  saw  your  neighbors  and  their  sons  giving  a  loose 
rein  to  vice  and  wickedness,  when  joined  hand  in  hand, 
they  would  seem  to  hope  to  escape  punishment,  when  the 
lukewarm  and  false  professor  sat  at  the  same  card  table, 
indulged  in  the  same  vain  and  vicious  conversation,  Walk- 
ing in  the  counsel  of  the  ungodly,  standing  in  the  way  of 
nners,  and  sitting  in  the  seat  of  the  scornful,  did  not 
ne  and  friends  and  church,  all  rise  up  before  you  saying, 
('  sinners  entice  thee,  consent  thou  not  ?"  Yes,  the  same 
faithful  shepherd  watches  over  you.  That  same  Jesus  who 
was  precious  to  your  soul  when  first  you  believed,  has  kept 
his  faithful  promise,  never  to  leave  you,  nor  forsake  you. 
Have  you  responded  to  these  invitations  to  christian  effort, 
or  has  the  ungodliness  of  the  camp,  like  a   flood,  come  in, 


13 

upon  your  soul  and  made  you  ashamed  of  Jesus  ?  What 
return  have  you  made  for  .such  amazing  mercy  and  good- 
0688  ?  Have  you  read  hi3  word,  hiding  it  in  your  heart, 
that  you  might  keep  his  commandments?  Have  you, 
"  praying  always"  like  the  devout  Centurion,  been  constant 
in  the  habit  of  secret  prayer  for  your  own  soul,  your  friends 
at  home,  your  fellow-soldiers,  your  couniry  ?  Tell  me,  if 
one  of  your  men  was  sick  or  wounded  or  sorrowful,  did  you 
visit  him  with  christian  care  and  affection,  did  you  make 
your  tent  a  pavilion  for  the  Lord,  a  Bethel  for  your  soul 
and  your  companions?  Did  you  invite  them  into  prayer 
meeting,  or  pray  with  them  in  their  own  ten£s?  However 
situated,  have  you  realized  the  precious  consciousness  that 
you  are  none  the  less  Christ's  and  Christ  is  none  the  less 
yours  ?  If  such  has  been  your  life  and  experience  in  grace, 
then  the  above  questions  are  answered  joyfully.  You  have 
not  neglected  your  bible,  nor  secret  communion  with  your 
Maker.  But  if  you  have  neglected  these  things,  if  the 
unbounded  wickedness  of  men  has  closed  your  lips,  and 
self-distrust  has  deterred  you  from  these  duties,  think  for  a 
moment  of  the  pious  men  in  your  company,  who  for  the 
lack  of  your  example  and  christian  care,  are  left  as  it  were, 
with  no  man  to  care  for  their  souls.  Think  again  of  the 
invaluable  aid  you  might  render  your  Chaplain,  if  ho  is  a 
proper  man.  with  a  mind  to  work  for  Christ.  And  if  he 
is  not,  unfortunately,  then  your  example  with  the  blessing 
of  the  Lord,  might  reprove  his  negligence,  and  stimulate 
him  to  this  labor  of  love.  Remember  the  Sabbath  day  in  the 
camp,  to  keep  it  holy.  When  works  of  necessity  are  over, 
then  prepare  your  sacrifices  for  the  Lord  your  God.  A 
broken  heart  and  a  contrite  spirit,  He  will  not  despise. 
Instead  of  visiting  the  village  near  by,  attract  your  men  to 
their  own  faithful  Chaplain  and  thus  preserve  the  habit  of 
punctual  attendance  upon  the  religious  services  of  your 
regiment, 


14 

The  pious  Captain  has  upon  him  no  small  part  of  the 
work  of  maintaining  a  civilizing  and  healthful  religious 
character  among  the  soldiers  in  our  army.  When  our 
patriot  regiments  are  disbanded  to  return  home  and  en- 
joy the  blessings  of  national  independence  and  peace,  the 
evil  tendencies  which  may  be  returned  with  them,  will  in 
a  great  degree,  be  attributed  to  the  neglect  of  their  moral 
and  religious  duties  in  the  army.  So  that  the  faithful  of- 
ficer who  performs  his  duties  to  his  men,  not  only  blesses 
them  and  his  country  now,  but  at  the  same  time  nurtures 
the  peace  and  good  order  of  the  community  when  the  war  is 
over,  and  the  rigour  of  law  is  relaxed,  and  when  the  passions 
and  lusts  of  men,  stimulated  by  vile  associations,  will  seek  to 
run  in  their  natural  channels,  overflowing  the  breastworks  of 
society.  The  effect  of  this  would  be  to  shock  communities 
with  bloody  crimes,  to  fill  our  jails  and  penitentiaries  with 
criminals,  and  to  blunt  the  moral  sensibilities,  and  harden 
the  hearts  of  the  people,  who  would  become  frequent 
spectators  of  public  executions  on  the  gallows. 

Finalizing  your  great  responsibility,  will  you  not  resolve, 
as  the  patriot  soldier,  the  devout  Centurion,  the  pious 
Captain,  "whatever  you  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God  V* 

To  the  ungodly,  unthankful,  profane  and  wicked  Cap- 
tain, we  have  only  a  word  to  say ;  we  would  not  use  such 
unseemly  epithets,  if  truth  did  not  require  it.  You  have 
always  been  such  in  character,  but  worse  since  you  became 
a  soldier.  Whether  the  restraints  of  home-life  being  lost 
to  you,  or  the  provocations  of  a  new  kind  of  business,  or 
the  unsuspected  power  of  example,  or  the  idea  sometimes 
indulged  even  by  intelligent  men,  that  in  order  to  be  a 
brave  soldier  one  must  cast  off  every  restraint,  forget  the 
gentle  and  sacred  influences  of  home,  of  female  society,  so 
pure,  attractive  and  ennobling,  of  innocent  childhood,  so 
bewitching,  of  the  house  and  people  of  G-od,  whose  favor  is 
better  than  life ;  and  that  in  order  to  forget  all   these, 


15 

swearing,  drinking  und  gambling,  with  all  beastly  conduct, 
contrary  to  the  nature  and  dignity  of  man,  must  be  not 
only  allowable,  but  it  would  appear  indispensable  ;  whether 
one  or  all  of  these  be  the  cause,  the  fact  we  know,  that  there 
is  a  class  of  men  in  office  in  our  army,  who  are  amazingly 
and  shockingly  wicked  and  profane.  Will  you  be  dissuaded 
from  such  a  course  ?  Is  there  anything  manly  in  it?  You 
have  by  your  position  as  a  soldier  before  society,  the  confi- 
dence and  sympathy  of  the  brave  and  the  good.  "Why  sink 
such  a  reputation  by  beastly  habit  ?  All  men  are  mortal, 
but  you  have  voluntarily,  and  for  a  good  purpose,  nobly 
sought  the  post  of  increased  exposure  to  death.  And 
do  you  intimidate  the  "king  of  terrors"  by  behaving 
like  one  of  his  victims  in  the  pit  7  Why  demean  yourself 
thus  before  the  dreadful  scythe-man,  on  the  battle  field,  while, 
were  you  at  home  on  your  dying  couch,  you  would  weep  as 
mother's  tears  or  father's  sighs  bespoke  your  doom ;  you 
would  gladly  clasp  the  faithful  minister  of  Christ  by  the 
hand  and  thank  him  for  his  prayers ;  you  would  then  wor- 
ship God  with  the  same  tongue,  which  now  blasphemes 
his  holy  name.  Will  you  explain  this  senseless  conduct  ? 
The  excitement  of  the  battle-field,  the  perplexities  of  the 
camp,  the  tendencies  to  evil  in  the  army,  though  potent 
will  neither  excuse  you  nor  explain  it.  A  christian  soldier 
under  these  very  influences  will  not  succumb  to  their  power. 
Supported  by  the  everlasting  arms  of  Him  "  who  bears 
the  earth's  huge  pillars  up  and  spreads  the  heavens  abroad," 
the  christian  enticed,  assaulted,  can  say,  -'none  of  these 
things  move  me." 

"  But,"  say  you,  "  I  am  not  a  christian,"  and  you  turn 
away  as  though  you  had  answered  the  question  as  to  your 
course  of  life  and  that  henceforth  you  are  j  ustified  in  your 
sins.  Does  the  fact  that  you  are  not  a  christain  take  away 
your  accountability  ?  Are  sinners  not  responsible,  but 
christians  only  ?     The  very  fact  that  you  are   not  a  c  hris 


16 

tian  proves  your  guilt  as  well  as  accountability.  "  There  is 
therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  them  that  are  in  Christ 
Jesus/'  implying  condemnation  to  all  not  in  Christ.  u  If 
any  man  love  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  let  him  be  accur- 
sed. "  You  do  not  love  him  if  yoiixdo  not  keep  his  com- 
mandment?. "  If  you  love  mc  keep  my  commandments. v> 
"He  that  believeth  on  the  Son  hath  everlasting  life ;  and 
he  that  believeth  not  the  Son  shall  not  see  life;  but  the 
wrath  of  God  abideth  on  him." 

What  then,  though  you  are  a  patriotic  soldier,  a  faithful 
officer,  a  victorious  leader  in  the  great  revolution  which  is 
to  achieve  your  country's  independence?  What  though 
your  name  be  inscribed  on  the  page  of  history,  which  shall 
tell  of  exploits  in  arms,  of  sufferings  endured,  of  patience 
in  toil,  under  excessive  heat  and  cold,  thirst  and  hunger, 
and  clothed  in  rags,  if,  when  you  awake  to  the  realities  of 
the  eternal  world,  you  shall  find  that  the  one  thing  need- 
ful is  forgot  ?  What  shall  it  profit  you  if  you  gain  that 
independence  so  much  craved;  nay,  if  you  gain  the  whole 
world  and  loose  your  own  soul  ?  For  what  shall  a  man 
give  in  exchange  for  his  soul  ? 

For  the  brave  and  patriotic  Captain,  who  stands  so  wil- 
ling and  ready  to  give  his  life  for  his  country,  but,  who 
seems  not  to  love  his  own  soul,  who  gives  no  thought,  no 
meditation  to  these  things,  we  feel  a  profound  sympathy 
for  him  we  write  these  words  and  may  God  our  father  bless 
them  to  his  salvation  and  to  the  slory  of  His  name. 


fa  no 


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